East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia – A powerful volcanic eruption struck Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki earlier today, launching a towering ash plume nearly 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) into the sky and prompting immediate evacuations across the surrounding region.
The eruption, visible from cities as far as 150 kilometers (about 90 miles) away, triggered Indonesia’s authorities to raise the alert level to its highest status. The exclusion zone around the crater has now been expanded to 7–8 kilometers (4–5 miles), as a safety precaution for those living nearby.
Officials are urging residents to evacuate immediately and wear face masks due to the heavy ash fall blanketing the area. There are also warnings of possible lava flows, particularly if heavy rainfall occurs in the coming hours or days.
So far, there have been no confirmed casualties or injuries.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki is one half of a twin-volcano system in East Flores Regency, paired with Mount Lewotobi Perempuan. Together, they form part of Indonesia’s vast volcanic landscape along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region known for its frequent seismic activity and more than 120 active volcanoes.
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) is closely monitoring the situation. Flights in the region may face disruptions due to the ash cloud, and local authorities are working with emergency teams to ensure evacuations are carried out smoothly.
This is a developing story. Samuga Media will provide updates as new information becomes available.
